Graphene Electrode Hetero-Atom Doping for Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium ion batteries fail to meet requirements for high capacity, high power, and fast charging due to the limitations of graphite anode materials, and graphene electrodes with high irreversible capacity and low conductivity hinder their commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A graphene electrode is fabricated using a dry-process surface modification treatment to dope hetero-atoms into the graphene layer, creating a hetero-atom doped graphene layer separated from a metal foil by a non-doped graphene layer, enhancing capacity and reducing irreversible capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If graphene is used as anode material to replace graphite, then capacity is improved, but irreversible capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a hetero-atom doped graphene layer with distinct chemical properties at the surface region, while maintaining the bulk graphene structure. The doping is localized to the surface layer that contacts the electrolyte, providing different functional properties (lower irreversible capacity) at the interface while preserving the high capacity of the overall graphene structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the graphene by introducing hetero-atoms (such as nitrogen, boron, or phosphorus) into the graphene lattice. This parameter change modifies the electronic structure and surface chemistry of the graphene, thereby reducing the irreversible capacity while maintaining high capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If graphene is used as anode material to replace graphite, then capacity is improved, but conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electronic structure parameter of graphene through hetero-atom doping. The introduced hetero-atoms modify the band structure and charge distribution, thereby improving electrical conductivity while preserving the high capacity characteristics of graphene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating hetero-atoms into the graphene lattice, forming a hetero-atom doped graphene material that combines the high capacity of graphene with enhanced conductivity properties provided by the hetero-atom incorporation.
3Loss of energy
If hetero-atoms are doped into graphene surface by dry-process surface modification, then irreversible capacity is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional wet chemical doping methods with a dry-process surface modification technique. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid chemicals and complex washing/drying steps, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving the desired hetero-atom doping for reduced irreversible capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry-process surface modification method allows the graphene material to undergo self-doping or self-modification during the manufacturing process, reducing the need for additional processing steps and simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting graphene electrode exhibits improved electrical characteristics, including high capacity, low irreversible capacity, and increased carrier mobility, making it suitable for energy storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the graphene layer to a dry-process surface modification treatment, thereby doping the hetero-atoms into the graphene layer surface
Data Source
AI summary
A graphene electrode, an energy storage device employing the same, and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The graphene electrode includes a metal foil, a non-doped graphene layer, and a hetero-atom doped graphene layer. Particularly, the hetero-atom doped graphene layer is separated from the metal foil by the non-doped graphene layer.